It is normal for people to experience eye conditions at some stage in their lives; it could just be an eye infection, blurry vision or a sudden eye pain. Minor infections go away in a week or so, following prescribed medication, but larger problems need the attention of an eye specialist. Some very common eye diseases can potentially damage your eyesight if proper treatment is not received in the right hour. The easiest way to prevent eye diseases from causing irreversible damage to your eyesight, is to include monthly eye checkups in your schedule. Most eye conditions come without a sign of warning, at least in the early stages. When the symptoms begin to show, the disease will have progressed to an advanced stage. A comprehensive eye checkup could help you seek medical attention at the earliest.
Below is a list of some of the common eye diseases and their symptoms:
1. Cataracts: Though cataracts can develop at any age, they are more common in people above the age of 50. With age, the lens of the eyes tends to cloud, making your vision blurry. The cloudiness appears as the proteins in the eyes clump together and block the vision. Cataracts often develop in one eye, before affecting both.
Symptoms
- Blurry vision
- Difficult night vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Halos around light
2. Glaucoma: The optic nerve transfers visual information from retina to the brain. Glaucoma could damage the optic nerve resulting in loss of vision. Glaucoma is an eye condition that causes pressure build-up in the eye. Most people with glaucoma does not experience early symptoms and by the time they do, the disease will have reached an advanced stage. Regular eye check-up is an effective method of detecting glaucoma and preventing it from progressing. There are two types of glaucoma: open-angle and acute-angle. Open-angle gradually damages vision without any symptoms. Acute-angle is treated as a medical emergency as it could steal your vision in a matter of days or hours.
Symptoms of open-angle glaucoma
- Loss of peripheral vision
Symptoms of acute-angle glaucoma
- Severe pain in the eyes
- Blurry vision
- Headache
3. Diabetic Retinopathy: People suffering from prolonged high blood sugar levels are at the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. Excessive blood sugar levels cause blood vessels to bulge. These bulging blood vessels sometimes leak and ooze fluid into the retina causing blurry vision. People with diabetes should get their eyes checked regularly so that diabetic retinopathy can be detected at an early stage.
Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy
- Blurred vision
- Floaters or dark spots appear in the field of vision
- poor night vision
4. Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): The condition as the name suggests is age-related, and is commonly seen in older adults. Age-Related Macular Degeneration damages the macula; the central portion of the eye. It affects the central vision making it difficult for those with the condition to see objects that are in the straight line. The condition adversely affects the ability to read and drive. With early detection, you could prevent the condition from further damaging your vision.
Symptoms
- Affected central vision, straight lines appear wavy or crooked
- Difficulty in identifying colours
- Blurry areas in the centre of vision
Book online consultation with the best eye specialists at Disha Eye Hospitals
We offer treatment for different types of eye conditions and diseases. Our hospitals have the latest equipment and with the help of well-experienced eye specialists, we give you superior-quality eye care at an affordable cost. We have eye hospitals in Kolkata, Barasat, Siliguri and other parts of West Bengal. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we request you to book an online consultation.